Sheep-rack



(Model.)

A. P. BUTTERS. SHEEP RAGK.

Patented Aug. 1, A18812.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AARON F. BUTTERS, OF MARSHALL,- OHIO.

SH E AEP-RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 261,997, dated August1, 1882.

Application filed April 29, 1882.

To all 'whom tt may concern:

Be it known that 1, AARON F. BUTTERS, a citizen of the United States.residing at Marshall, in the county of Highland and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheep-Racks, of whichthe following is a speeication, reference being had therein totheaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in feeding-racks intendedespecially for feeding sheep.

It consists essentially in the combination, substantially as hereinafterdescribed, of the hinged trough and pivotcd slat-framcs, arranged andoperating as set forth.

In. the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view; and Figs. 2 and 3 aretransverse sections on line aux, Fig. l, of arack constructed accordingto my invention.

In carrying out my invention I employ the framing composed ofthe endboards, a a., properly supported on legs a', top beams, a? c2, and theboards a3 a3. These boards a3 a3 extend from one to the other of the endboards, a, and their tops arejoined together, and they are inclinedoutward from the joint, exhibiting in crosssection the inverted, Vshape, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

b b represent the boards which, in connection with the boards a3 a3,form the folding troughs c. lower ends of boards a3, and when turned upagainst said boards there is sufficient space between the upper end ofboards a3 and b to permit the side bars of the pivoted slet-frames torest down below top ot' board a3 and bear against board b, as indicatedin dotted lines, Fig. 2. These hinged boards b, as shown in Fig. Lextendthe full distance between end boards, a, forming a folding trough thefull length of the main frame.

b are stops or cleatsxed to inner side of end boards, a, and adaptedV tolimit the outward movement ofthe hinged boards b.

d are the pivoted slat-frames, made as long as the space between endboards, a, and of proper width to turn between the top beams, a2, andtops of boards a3 when properly pivoted, as will be described. Theseframes d are composed of the side bars, d', end bars, d2 and slats d. Iemploy two of these frames, one over The lower ends of boards b b arehinged to' (Model.)

each trough. I pivot them on pins e, extended from end boards, a,directly over the center of troughs c, and about midway the distancebetween top of troughs c and top beams, a2, as shown. pivoted centrallyon these pins c, and the frames can readily turn on the pins, asindicated in dotted lines, Figs. 2 and 3.

In the use of my invention in feeding fodder, the boards b should beturned up against boards a3, and the frames d should be turned withtheir side bars together at the bottom, as shown in full lines, Fig. 3,and the. fodder should be placed in the rack formed by the frames d. Itis then in easy reach of the sheep, and the troughs being folded no dirtcan get into them. For feeding corn, oats, or other grain the -boards I)should be turned back forming the folding trough c, in which is placed.the feed, the frames d remaining in the same position as before, andpreventing the sheep from getting into the troughs with their feet. VInfeeding hay the troughs are left in thesa-me position as whenfeedinggrain, and the frames are broughttogether at the bottom, as whenfeeding fodder. The hay is then placed in the rack so formed, and theframes are turned, bringing the side bars together at the top, the hayfalling into the troughs, where it can be easily reached through theslats of frames d.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, 1s

In a sheep-rack, the combination, substantially as hereinbefore setforth, ofthe inclined boards a3, having their upper edges abuttedtogether, the boards b, hinged to the lower edges of boards a3, andturning outward and forming troughs c, and the frames d, pivoted andturning inward to bring their lower ends near to the apex of theinclined boards e3 or outward to bring their lowertends near to theouter edge of the unfolded boards b and over the troughs c, as setforth. 4

In testimony whereof I affix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

AARON F. BUTTERS.

Witnesses:

DANIEL L. BUTTERS, ROBERT E. WATTS.

The end bars, d2, of the frames cl are

